Tennessee high school teacher wins $50,000 Amazon award

https://apnews.com/06557f850ad5db7c8ee15a03617a7612?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cb_bureau_tn

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee high school teacher and Tennessee State University alumna has won a $50,000 award from Amazon.

First-year teacher Shasta Charlton is a 2020 Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year Award recipient. She is a computer science teacher and Robotics Club staffer at Whites Creek Comprehensive High School in Nashville.

Tennessee State said in news release that Charlton didn’t know much about robots, but she and her students still managed to build and code one to win the award. The award includes $25,000 for the school and $25,000 in school supplies.

Dickson Co. school bus wearing 'mask' among ways transportation staff still helps students

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/dickson/2020/04/03/dickson-co-school-bus-wearing-mask-transportation-staff-helps/5116772002/

A few Dickson County school buses continue to be used -- mostly delivering food to students in need -- but most of the fleet remains parked during theCOVID-19 pandemic

Melissa Garton, county schools transportation coordinator, saw those stationary wheels on the bus as an opportunity. 

Now, parked in front of the transportation is a bus “wearing” a “mask” as a reminder of proper practices to halt the COVID-19 spread. 

“I thought it would be a way to show everyone to be safe and we are thinking about everyone's safety,” Garton said. “Just (the bus) might put a smile on someone’s face during this crazy time.”

Covering the front grill of the bus is a white sheet. Behind the windshield is are cutout “eyes.” 

We’ve had several stop in the road to look at it,” Garton said. 

One school bus is carrying food to the schools that are handing out food daily. Three other buses deliver food to homes with children up to 18 years old Wednesdays and Fridays, which is all part of the Food Bus Program.

Since schools have been out and the program started, Dickson County Schools has delivered or handed out more than 25,000 meals, according to School Nutrition Director Jason Collins.